Educate a South African Child Experiencing Poverty

Naseefah is a 9^th grade student at Christel House South Africa. She was recently selected as a scholarship recipient to attend summer camp at Culver Leadership Academy in Culver, Indiana. During her trip to the United States, Naseefah shared these words with a group of Christel House supporters.

“My name is Naseefah, born November 11, 1999. I am currently in 9^th grade at Christel House South Africa. I live in Manenberg, a place famous for gangersterism, alcohol abuse, drug abuse and even physical abuse. I have seen many tragedies happen in front of me – shootings, stabbings, men beating up their wives. Growing up, I thought this was the only world I would ever see. I thought drugs and alcohol were the right way to go, that everyone must do them.

Starting school at Christel House was life changing. I learned humility, respect and how to love one another. Being at Christel House has taught me how to appreciate other peoples’ differences and how to even appreciate my own differences. I am a very talkative person who loves to communicate with people. I love exploring new things. I love education challenges – I am always up for one. I think my community is my biggest challenge, but I am going to turn it into my fuel to succeed. I want to show my peers and family that your background doesn’t determine your future and because of Christel House, my future is surely bright.

I’ve received many opportunities at school which no one in my family has. One of the biggest opportunities I’ve received was to travel to America – which no one in my family has ever received. I’m truly proud to be a “Christel Houser” because without their support, nothing would have been possible.

My hopes for the future are to study at a university and become a chartered accountant, to break the cycle of poverty, to give back to my community, and to be an inspiration to many young people out there and show them – it doesn’t really matter where you’re from but what you do with your circumstances.”

Thank you for supporting the students of Christel House South Africa and helping them to achieve their dreams.

Thank you for your continued support of ‘Help South African H.S. Grads Attend College’! Your generosity gives Christel House South Africa students the opportunity to escape poverty through higher education, vocational training and job placement.

We are excited to introduce Tabisa Z., a 2009 Graduate of Christel House South Africa.

“I don’t have to be a reflection of my background,” Tabisa said when asked the most important thing she’d learned at Christel House. “The world is my oyster and in it I can achieve anything.”

Tabias grew up in Khayelitsha – South Africa’s second largest township after Soweto – where an estimated 1.5 million people live within a 17 square mile area. Today Tabisa is employed in that same impoverished community, at Hubspace – an organization dedicated to helping disadvantaged entrepreneurs procure office space, infrastructure and equipment. Tabisa’s skills in office administration and customer service helped her secure the position.

Tabisa offered valuable advice to fellow Christel House students:

“No matter in which part of the world they [students] are, they need to realize that they, too, have something to offer, in their school, community or as a citizen,” she says.

Tabisa’s goal is to use her talents to help improve her community.

“I hope to make a difference in Khayelitsha, and other poor communities. My background makes me empathize with the people and their challenges, and my education in business administration helps me work with them to solve problems.”

Christel House donors, like you, help students, like Tabisa, reimagine their futures and make an impactful difference in their communities while achieving their dreams. Thank you for your continued support.

Links:

• Christel House Website
• Christel House Facebook
• Christel House Twitter